MY CHALLENGE

I challenge you to read the 46 Articles of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and to take the UNDRIP quiz below to test your understanding. You can take the quiz as many times as you'd like and read the feedback provided on each question. We all need to learn these rights so that we can articulate them and protect them together.

If you'd prefer, here are some alternative versions of UNDRIP:

Adolescent-focused version of UNDRIP (PDF) created by UNICEF
UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (Audio) - Cultural Survival (up to Article 25 only)

About This Challenge

What do you know about UNDRIP? Maybe you've heard of it, maybe you haven't. Whether you've read the 46 Articles of UNDRIP or not, I believe there's value in revisiting the Articles as often as you can. Take this chance to read UNDRIP in its entirety and really reflect on what this international instrument means. Are these rights being respected in Canada? What can you do to protect and advance them?

No matter who you are or how little influence you may think you have, you can make a difference to human rights in Canada. You can read and understand UNDRIP and find ways to support the Articles at school, at work, and even at home. To complete the challenge, read (or listen to) UNDRIP and take the quiz below to test your understanding. I encourage you to revisit the Articles and the quiz as often as you need to.

Why UNDRIP?

Reconciliation is a rights-based activity. This means that if Canada is going to come to any meaningful Reconciliation, we need to use UNDRIP as a framework to get there. UNDRIP is an international instrument adopted by the United Nations (UN) over a decade ago in September 2007. When it was adopted, UNDRIP was already decades in the making. In the 2007 UN vote, only 4 countries voted against adopting UNDRIP - those four countries were: Canada, USA, Australia and New Zealand.

Canada remained an "official objector" to UNDRIP until May 10, 2016. Canada was the last of the 4 original objector countries to adopt UNDRIP. In 2016, Minister Carolyn Bennett announced that Canada was officially dropping its status as a permanent objector of UNDRIP to become a full supporter of the Declaration. In her announcement, Minister Bennett announced Canada's intention "to adopt and implement the declaration in accordance with the Canadian constitution."

UNDRIP has not been fully implemented into Canada's laws and administrative frameworks yet, and many people in our country don't know what UNDRIP is or why it's important. UNDRIP is the framework for Reconciliation across all levels and sectors of our society. Everyone - not only governments and institutions - needs to understand and protect these rights. UNDRIP defines both collective and individual rights. For Indigenous Peoples, this means that we need to know our rights, we have to be able to articulate our rights, and most importantly, we have to be able to express when our rights are being infringed upon. For all of our non-Indigenous brothers and sisters out there: it’s critical that we all work together to protect these rights. We won't be a Reconciled country - or even the fair and just country we strive to be - until UNDRIP is implemented and protected by us all.

So the task before us is relatively simple: Know these rights. Articulate them. Fight vigorously to protect them. I welcome you to start, or to continue, that learning journey here today.

ADDITIONAL LEARNING

Videos

News Articles

Implementing UNDRIP is a Big Deal for Canada. Here’s What You Need to Know. - James Wilt
Canada and UNDRIP: A Chronology Characterized by Confusion - Hayden King
Where does Canada sit 10 years after the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples? - Brandi Morin

Documents

About Bill C-262: United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act - Parliament of Canada
Historical Overview and Resources on UNDRIP - UN Division for Social Policy and Development
UNDRIP FAQ's - United Nations
Understanding UNDRIP by Blaine Favel & Ken S. Coates
Understanding and Implementing UNDRIP: An Introductory Handbook - Indigenous Bar Association
UNDRIP Printable Poster - Native Women’s Association of Canada

Join others who have
accepted this challenge.

ACCEPT CHALLENGE

A challenge from:

Ry Moran

Ry Moran is the Director of the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation. He came to the NCTR directly from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC). As the first Director of the NCTR, it is Ry's job to guide the creation of an enduring national treasure – a dynamic Indigenous archive built on integrity, trust and dignity. Ry is a proud member of the Métis Nation.

"I challenge you to read the 46 Articles of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and to take our UNDRIP quiz to test your understanding. Know these rights, articulate them, fight vigorously to protect them. "